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For Our Employee-Owners

  • Money in your pocket (ESOP)

  • Better prepared for financial security at the end of your career

  • 100% of contributions are made by the company – it’s free money for you!

  • True sense of pride and ownership in the work you accomplish

  • Long-term peace of mind for you and your family

For Our Customers

Because of our ESOP, our amazing team members finish the job on-time and on-budget. This saves our customers:

  • Time

  • Money

  • Hassle

  • Reputation

  • Brand image

For Whitaker Holdings

An ESOP benefits our company in numerous ways. As a result, our ESOP:

  • Reduces turnover

  • Increases productivity

  • Puts our money back into our employee-owner’s pockets

  • Nurtures loyalty

  • Builds morale

Our ESOP Story

The Whitaker Way

Jim Whitaker, the founder of Whitaker Construction, always wanted his company to be different in the way it treated its employees. He valued the meaning of a team, and he knew that if people are treated fairly and given opportunities to shine, they work harder and have more pride in their work. 

The Numbers Don’t Lie

92

The median household net worth is 92% higher for employee-owners.

33

Employee-owners have 33% higher median income from wages.

53

Median job tenure for employee-owners is 53% higher.

2.6

Employee-owners are more than twice as likely to receive tuition benefits.

50

50% of the working population is at risk of retiring without enough money to maintain their current standard of living.

We Sweat The Small Stuff

For more than 70 years, we've honored Jim Whitaker's vision to keep Whitaker Holdings' focus on our most valuable assets -- our people. By functioning as an ESOP, our employee-owners are able to benefit directly as a result of their hard work and are able to truly own a part of this company built on the ethics that Jim held so dear.

We sweat the small stuff, because the small stuff allows us to do the big stuff. We work hard, keep our equipment clean and in good repair, smile when others walk by, and create an atmosphere that encourages collaboration and communication. It's all part of The Whitaker Way.

Our ESOP, unlike a publicly-traded company, is evaluated and appraised each year by an independent firm that works closely with our ESOP manager. Each employee-owner has access to view their account via mobile app whenever they would like, although the balance only updates once per year. Click on the image or scan to get the Principal app:

Our ESOP Grows!

Each year, we hand out ESOP statements for each employee-owner to review and keep for their own records. Over time, our ESOP outperforms the stock market by a large margin. See the proof!

All contributions are entirely made by Whitaker Holdings and begin after you have worked for four months. You never have to contribute a single penny…it’s on us!

An ESOP is intended to be a long-term benefit. By operating as a 100% ESOP, we are putting our money where our mouth is and proving to each of our employee-owners that we care about you, both now and in the future. After all, we do Build the Best: People, Communities, Future!

When Do You Enter The ESOP?

After working for four months, employee-owners will be added to the ESOP at either of these dates, depending on when they were hired.

Jan 1st

July 1st

ESOP this, ROI that…what does it all mean?

View this financial literacy dictionary to help explain some common financial and investment terminology.

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How to read your statement

We know…they can be a bit confusing at first. Check out this resource to help decipher your statement!

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ESOP Calculator

*See what your ESOP will be worth in the future! Set the Benefit Level at 6 and the Rate of Return at 18, then plug in your numbers!

*Meant as a tool. Variables may affect real-world numbers.

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Employee-Ownership 100

Want to see a list of the top 100 ESOP’s that are out there? Check out this resource from the NCEO.

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When am I eligible for the ESOP?

What happens if I leave the company before I'm fully vested?

Do I have to pay taxes on my ESOP balance?

Yes, when you take your money out of your ESOP account, it will be taxed. As with any retirement savings, taking it out in large quantities or a lump sum will result in more taxes owed. We encourage you to work with your tax counsel so that you are informed about taxes and retirement savings.

Am I penalized for taking money out of my ESOP before I retire?

When can I see my account balance?

When will I receive my first statement?

What is a vesting schedule?

Does Whitaker Holdings have to pay taxes?

Can I transfer my ESOP funds to an IRA?

Will upper management retiring and younger staff taking their place impact the ESOP negatively?

What happens to the ESOP if we have consecutive years of losses?

Why can't I sell my stocks like other companies can if I run into hard financial times?

Questions or feedback about our ESOP growth opportunity wealth building ?

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